Artistic Pursuits Elementary 4-5 Book Two Color and Composition

First Daughter's otter

We've been using Artistic Pursuits for a few years now, but I've only written about one book, Early Elementary K-3, Book One. I found some pictures of First Daughter's artwork from fifth grade and thought I'd share them.

Artistic Pursuits

Elementary 4-5, Book Two

Color and Composition

at Artistic Pursuits, Amazon, Rainbow Resource Center

First Daughter began this book in the middle of fifth grade (back in 2017-2018). She had already completed Elementary 4-5 Book One, but I do think you could jump in to this book without Book One. We're flexible on our art books. The kids don't rush to finish a book in a year; they just pick up in the fall where they left off in the spring. In this case, she finished Book One about half way through the year and just started right in to Book Two.

Just like in the K-3 book, this one provides much more than drawing or painting. Each unit is divided into four lessons that present new vocabulary (in art and words) for their own experiences, art appreciation and art history, techniques, and a final unit project that tries to bring it all together. The art appreciation lessons are excellent. They choose lovely art and high quality prints of it. I think Second daughter likes those lessons the best; she often adds the dates of artwork to her Book of Centuries.

water bottles by First Daughter

Book Two introduces color in a more explicit way than Book One. My two students who have moved from Book One to Book Two in the Elementary 4-5 series have been very pleased to see lovely watercolor pencils in their art supplies. Some of the topics covered in this book include:

• color wheel
• primary and secondary colors
• intermediate shading
• tinting
• neutral colors
• color value
• direction and movement
• shapes and textures
• blending colors
• points of view (front, back, high, low)
• focused lessons on buildings, figures, faces, and interiors

They recommend two lessons a week with an hour each time. My children almost never spend an hour on art, but we do schedule it twice a week. My kids each have an art box that contains their book and supplies. A few things don't fit and have to live on my art shelves, but this way nearly everything they need is always ready to go without me being involved. They do not share supplies, but because everyone is doing their own art with their own book, they generally have different supplies. I save them when the book is finished for the next student coming along. (So all the Elementary 4-5, Book One supplies are currently tucked away for Second Son when he's ready for them. Second Daughter is already in Elementary 4-5, Book Two, because I am very slow on posting some things.)

Duckling by First Daughter

The supplies for this book are pretty simple unlike those early elementary books where you're looking for supplies like celluclay. 

• watercolor pencil set (at least 12; I found a set of 24 on sale
• 8" brush round (I bought one of these for each of the children as they use them in multiple books. Ours are American Painter and were about $5-6 each, though I don't see size 8 at the moment.)
• 9"x12" watercolor paper pad (I try to buy these in bulk when they're on sale at our local hobby store.)
• sketch pad for drawing (I usually buy whatever 8.5"x11" book of 80 lb paper is on sale at our hobby store.)
• vinyl eraser
• metal handheld pencil sharpener
• a colored pencil set is optional as the student can use the watercolors dry

Apples by First Daughter

I like how this structured art book challenges my children to draw things they might not otherwise draw and to use materials in ways they might not otherwise attempt. They don't always create amazing art, but they are always learning. Over time, every child has created something beyond what they thought they could.

First Daughter finished the book early in seventh grade. The duckling and apples are from the later lessons. Aren't they lovely?

I have received nothing in exchange for this post. I purchased most of my Artistic Pursuits books used. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. Links to Artistic Pursuits and Rainbow Resource Center are not affiliate links.